Making Disciple: Encouraging Others
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
Pastor Miles
3/13/2016
"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV
1. Who needs encouragement?
Everyone!
God can still use us despite our shortcomings.
"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?"
1 Thessalonians 3:6-9 NIV
"For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NIV
2. When do we need encouragement?
All the time!
Especially when we lack/lose courage ("en-courage" = to put in courage).
"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
"So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them."
1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 NIV
God sends people to encourage.
3. How do we encourage others?
With our words!
"Therefore encourage one another with these words."
1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction..."
1 Thessalonians 1:3-5a NIV
✔️ Encourage by acknowledging that God's hand is at work in their lives
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere..,"
1 Thessalonians 1:6-8a NIV
✔️ Encourage by acknowledging that their lives are a great example to others
"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia...,"
1 Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10 aNIV
"You've done a great job!"
"You have real strength in the area of..."
Next Steps:
Consider who in my life needs encouragement.
Speak a word of encouragement to them.
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